Pressed-steel ledger-binder.



L. R. DIGKERSGN. PRESSED STEEL LEDGEE BINDER. APPLICATION FILED PEB.1,1909.

952,668. Patented Mar. 22, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

L. R. DICKERSON. PRESSED STEEL LEDGER BINDER, APPLIOATION FILED 113.1,19o9.`

Patented Mar. 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

artnr eerie.,

LEONARD R. DICKERSON; OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO RALPH B. WILSON,OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. i I

PRESSED-STEEL LEDGERA-BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 191C.

Application filed February 1, 1909. Serial No. 475,327.

To all whom 'it may concern:

vBe it known that I, LEONARD R. Dionnesox, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPressed-Steel Ledger-Binders; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference beinghadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

Heretofore loose leaf binders have frequently been constructed withthree piece backs, sometimes of east aluminum and sometimes withcastings of other metal and provided with key operated means for movingthe lateral back sections from or toward each other. Then soconstructed, the backs have either been unduly expensive because of thehigh price of aluminum or very heavy, and, in any event, owing to thethickness of metal required where the parts thereof are cast, theconstruction is somewhat clumsy. there aluminum is used, owing to theslight resiliency and comparatively low tensile strength of that metal,the castings of necessity must be of considerable thickness to affordthe requisite strength inasmuch as the stresses exerted in such binderson compression are very great. Furthermore, it is a common practiceowing in part to the metal employed, that the impaling posts have beenarranged opposite the lugs whereby the covers are secured to the bindingplates, thus taking advantage of the increased thickness of the metal atthe lugs. Wlhere so constructed, the manufacturer can only change thedistance between the impaling posts by constructing separate patternsfor all the different sizes or arrangement of posts and this ofnecessity frequently runs into considerable expense.

The object of this invention is to afford a binder of the classdescribed in which practically all of the construction excepting theimpaling posts and the actuating shaft is of pressed steel therebyaffording an exceedingly light and neat as well as an exceedingly strongand rigid construction.

It is also an object of the invention to afford in connection with apressed steel back section, pressed steel end members adapted to berigidly engaged thereon and to afford anchorage for important parts ofthe internal mechanism of the binder.

It is also an object of the invention to afford a constructionpermitting the impaling posts to be arranged at any desired distancesbetween sections for the length of the back without necessitatingspecial tools or back patterns for this purpose, and to secure the lugsfor attachment with the covers upon the binding plates at any desiredpoint either opposite the impaling posts or between the same as may bepreferred.

It is also an object of the invention to aHord in a device of the classdescribed interior reinforcing means for the lateral back sections orbinding plates to greatly increase the strength thereof and to affordall the advantages for the binding plates that would be afforded by theuse of a rigid bar.

The invention -embraces many novel features and consists in the mattershereinafter described and more fully pointed out and defined in theappended claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is an inner plan view of a loose leaf orledger binder embodying my invention with the covers broken away. Fig. 2is a central section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectiontak-en on line 3-3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4l is a section taken on line L /l ofFig. l. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section taken on line of Fig. l.Fig. (3 is an enlarged fragmentary inner plan view of one end of one ofthe lateral sections. Fig. 7 is a section of one end on line 7 7 of Fig.G. Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse section taken through the end of thecentral back section. Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

As shown in the drawings: Said binder comprises a frame consisting of acentral convex back section A, and lateral back sections A, which areshaped to afford also the binding plates ca -(K, integral therewith andhaving the inner faces thereof parallel, and within and engaged to themembers affording said back frame is the actuating shaft and itsconnections for expanding or contract-ing the binder. The central backsection A, is constructed of thin sheet steel cut to suitable length andstamped to afford a convex back externally, and a concave inner face.End caps C, are then stamped or .pressed of soft steel to afford asegment shaped, hollow member, the convex back c, ofwhich has the samecurvature as the centra'l back section A, and the front wall c, of whichis straight to afford a part of the guide for the lateral back sections.As shown, said straight inner face of said cap is provided with aforwardly directed tongue c2, positioned centrally of the cap, as shownYin Figs. 8 and 9. The ends of the central through which said rivet c,passes is engaged between the back section and the tongue c2, of the capso that when the rivets are headed or closed down all said plates andmembers are rigidly engaged together in unvarying relation. Each of thelateral backsections is also constructed of thin pressed steel andconsists of a binding plate a-f, from the rear edge of which th-e metalis pressed to curve outwardly to afford a back extension and thencerearwardly and inwardly in a plane substantially at right angles withthe binding plate portion thereof, said inwardly extended or flangedportion at, of each of said lateral sections extending in the same planeand fitting and sliding in the guideway afforded byy the inner side c',of the pressed steel cap piece, and the guide bar c5, said flange alsohaving a width sufficient for the edges thereof to nearly meet when theback is fully closed.

As shown, impaling posts D-D-D2 and D3, each comprising a plurality oftelescoping sections, are secured at opposite ends on the binding platesa-ci, for this purpose the binding plate is drilled, the post sectioninserted therethrough to int-eriit with the complemental post sectionfrom the opposite binding plate and the ends thereof in the bindingplate are riveted down or secured in place in any other suitable mannerto afford a rigid connection in the binding plates.

Rigidly secured by means of rivets e, as shown in Fig. 7, on the ends ofthe lateral back sections, are pressed steel corner and end plates E,shaped to fit or conform to the exterior of t-he binding plate and backsection as shown in. Figs. 6 and 7, and of a length on the backapproximately equalto one half the width of the back of the binder whenfully contracted. Conveniently, th-e end or corner members for thelateral back sections for each end of the binder may be constructed inone stamping and cut apart by the use of a suitable tool to afford twoindependent members after the stamping is completed.

Rigidly secured centrally and longitudinally in the central back sectionis the actuating shaft F. This, as shown, is journaled in bearings f,rigidly secured in the middle back section, as shown in Figs. l and 2,and is threaded with a right and left thread respectively at itsopposite ends and one end f2, of said shaft F, extends to near the endof the back section to be engaged by a suitable key inserted through anaperture f3, in the bottom end cap, as shown in Fig. 2, and whereby saidshaft may be rotated.

Threaded on t-he opposite ends of the shaft are nuts or carriages G-G,to each end of which is pivotally engaged a toggle bar g, which extendsfrom said nut or carriage outwardly and toward the adjacent ends of thelateral back section and are pivotally engaged to said back sections bymeans of rivets g, which extend therethrough and through thesubstantially parallel faces of the back section, and also through anapertured post g2, similar to the posts or sleeves c, before describedand whereby when the rivet is closed down, a positive bearing isafforded for the end of the link or toggle and likewise the opposingfaces of said lateral back section are held in unvarying relation togreatly increase the rigidity of the section. As shown, a plurality ofsuch apertured posts are provided to afford an interior brace for saidlateral back sections, conveniently at least one of said posts may beprovided not far from the point of attachment of the covers and in eachinstance are secured in place by means of rivets passed through thesubstantially parallel sides of the back section and through the postsg2, as before described, or if preferred, said posts may be turned orformed as in a screw machine integrally with the rivets as indicated bythe post and rivet g3, in Fig. l.

The attaching lugs H, are not cast integral with the binding plates, butmay be secured in place in any convenient position along the bindingplate by means of a screw L, which extends through the binding platefrom the inner side and is threaded into said lug. Integral with saidlugs are spacing posts g5, similar to the posts g2, which are riveted inplace on the under side of the binding' plates.

The covers I, as shown, are notched at their inner. margins to receivethe attaching lugs H, therein, as shown in Fig. l, and are provided witha hinge plate bound in the inner margin of the cover and affording apintle aperture near the margin to register with the pintle aperturethrough the lug and a pintle is inserted therethrough and through thelugs to positively engage the covers thereto.

The operation is as follows: For the construction of the binder backsuch as described a very light gage of sheet metal may be employedinasmuch as all parts to which. stress is applied are thoroughly bracedand reinforced, the central back,

plate or section by the pressed steel end caps, and the lateral backsections by the posts, and rivets which engage the back flange with theoutwardly curved portion closely adjacent to the binding plate. Thelinks or toggles are positively connected with the lateral back sectionsatthe end rivets or posts, thus the rigidity afforded by the pressedsteel end cap for the lateral back section and afforded by the post isutilized to prevent any distortion of the lateral back section whateverunder the severe stress capable ot' being applied by the rotation of theshaft I?.

The thin pressed steel ends of the corner or end plates E, for thelateral back sections positively engage in the slideways afforded on theend caps of the central back section by the inner face of said end capand the guide plate in consequence the movements of the lateral backsections are always in unison and the guide plates 05, extending wellinto the ends of said lateral back sections, serve also as guide toprevent any relative longitudinal movement of the side sections withreference to the central back section. lVhen so constructed, theadjustment under any and every condition is positive and a comparativelyclose fit being afforded between the guides and the end plates, thebinder is not likely to be injured by rough usage, as by falling from aVdesk-hence great durability is assured. Of course, the position of theimpaling posts in the binding plate may be arranged as desired for eachindividual customer, if preferred, and either two or more posts may beinstalled, as desired, and wheresoever the punching of the sheets usedby the customer may require. Furthermore, it is obvious that posts ofany1 desired size may be employed and if thought desirable, post rivetsmay be provided beneath the impaling posts. These ordinarily, however,are not requiredy inasmuch as the impaling posts serve but to hold thesheets in place when the binder is open. and the stress exerted inclosing the binder is of course, exerted by means of the links directlyto the most rigid portions of the lateral back sections as hereinbeforedescribed.

Of course, I am aware that numerous details of construction may bevaried. I have, however, shown but one of several adaptations of myinvention and I therefore do not purpose limiting this application forpatent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pressed steel binder of the class described comprising oppositelymovable binding plates of pressed sheet steel, each affording anintegral flange along its inner edge, said flange extending outwardly,thence curving inwardly substant-ially parallel to the outwardlyextending portion, posts engaged between the parallel faces flange at aplurality of points in its length and independent attaching lugs securedto the binding plates, each provided with an integral spacing post.

2. In a device of the class described oppositely movable binding platesof pressed steel each formed with parallel portions, post rivets engagedbetween the parallel portions and riveting the saine together at aplurality of points in its length, a steel back plate and steel end capssecured to tho ends of the back plate.

3. A loose leaf binder embracing oppositely movable pressed sheet steelbinding plates, an integral flange on the inner edge thereof extendingoutwardly, then curving inwardly parallel with the outwardly directedportion, post rivets engaged at a plurality of points between saidparallel faces of the flange and rigidly securing the same together,pressed steel end members on said binding plates rigidly securedthereto, and actuating means for the binding plates pivotally engaged onthe end rivets.

et. A pressed steel binder of the class described comprising oppositelymovable binding plates of pressed sheet steel, each affording anintegral flange along its inner edge, said flange extending outwardly,and curving inwardly substantially parallel to the outwardly extendingportion, means engaged between the parallel faces of said flange at aplurality of points in its length to secure the same in unvaryingrelation, independent attaching lugs secured to the binding plates and apost integral with each lug extending through the parallel faces andriveted to the bottom face.

5. A loose leaf binder embracing two oppositely pressed sheet steelbinding plates provided with a rounded part forming an inwardly openingchannel, spacing posts engaged at a plurality of points in said channel,pressed steel endmembers on said binding plate, a central back plate ofpressed steel, a steel one piece cap secured on each end of the backplate on which the binding plates are supported and guides securedthereto adapted to bear against the end members to prevent relativelongitudinal movement of the binding plates.

6. A loose leaf binder embracing two oppositely movable pressed sheetsteel binding plates shaped to provide an inwardly opening channel,bracing members in the channel, a central back section, horizontalguides secured thereto, a steel cap secured to each end of the backsection having a horizontal top, end members secured to the bindingplates fitting between the guides and the horizontal top faces of thecaps and said end members also bearing against the outer sides of therespective guide.

of saidV 7. A pressed metal ledger binder einbracing a central pressedsheet metal back section, pressed metal end caps engaged thereto,pressed metal lateral back sections slidably engaged on the central backsection, a binding plate engaged on each lateral section, bracesstiffening each lateral section, a right and left threaded shaftrotatably engaged on the central back section, carriages thereon, linkspivotally engaged on each side of the carriage and directed outwardlyand toward the ends of the lateral back sections and pivot-ally engagedthereon at the end braces therefor.

S. A pressed metal ledger binder einbracing a central. pressed sheetmetal back section, pressed metal inwardly facing end :aps engagedthereto', pressed metal lateral.

back sections slidably engaged on the central back section havingbinding plates engaged thereto, end members secured to the lateral backsections, braces stiffening each lateral section, a right and leftthreaded shaft rotatably engaged on the central back sections, carriagesthereon, links pivotally engaged on each side of the carriage anddirected outwardly and toward the ends of the lateral back sections andpivotally engaged thereon at the end braces therefor, and guides securedto the central back section adapted to engage the end members of thelateral back sections therebeneath and also to prevent relativelongitudinal movement of the lateral back sections.

9. A pressed steel binder comprising a back section concave on its innerside and lconvex on its outer side, slidable back and binding sections,a cap secured to each end of the back section provided with one flangeconcave to receive the respective end of the back section and ahorizontal flat flange, a guide secured to each cap, and a spacingmember between the cap and guide.

l0. A pressed steel binder comprising a back section concave on itsinner side and convex on its outer side, slidable back and bindingsections, a cap secured to each end of the back section provided withone flange concave to receive the respective end of the back section anda horizontal flat flange, a guide secured to each cap, a spacing memberbetween the cap and guide, end sections on each binding plate engagedbetween the guides and horizontal flanges of the caps and spacing postsrigidly secured between the flanges of the cap.

1l. In a device of the class described a pressed steel back section,pressed steel caps secured on the ends thereof, pressed steel bindingplates, pressed steel end members thereon and guides secured to thesteel caps.

l2. In a device of the class described a pressed steel back section,pressed steel caps secured on the ends thereof, pressed steel bindingplates, pressed steel end members thereon, guides secured to the steelcaps, spacing posts secured to the caps, independent lugs secured to thebinding plates and actuatingmechanisms for the binding plates.

18. In a device of the class described a back plate, binding plates,inwardly facing caps secured to the ends of the back plate, an inwardlydirected member integral with each cap, and a guide secured to andspaced a distance from each member.

14. In a device of the class described a back plate, binding plates,inwardly facing caps secured to the ends of the back plate, an inwardlydirected member integral with each cap, a guide secured to and spaced adistance from each member, spacing posts secured between each member,and the bacl; plate, sleeves bracing the walls of the binding plates,independent lugs secured to the binding plates for attachment of thecovers and shaft operated actuating mechanism,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

LEONARD R. DIGKERSON.

lVitnesses K. E. HANNAH, L. REIBSTEIN.

